Obama on Father's Day: Being a dad takes courage

President Barack Obama wishes cameramen and sound engineers a Happy Father's Day after he spoke on the South Lawn about his administration's response to a growing insurgency foothold in Iraq, Friday, June 13, 2014, at the White House in Washington, prior to boarding the Marine One Helicopter for An

The Associated Press

President Barack Obama wishes cameramen and sound engineers a Happy Father's Day after he spoke on the South Lawn about his administration's response to a growing insurgency foothold in Iraq, Friday, June 13, 2014, at the White House in Washington, prior to boarding the Marine One Helicopter for Andrews Air Force Base, Md., then onto North Dakota and California. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama wishes cameramen and sound engineers a Happy Father's Day after he spoke on the South Lawn about his administration's response to a growing insurgency foothold in Iraq, Friday, June 13, 2014, at the White House in Washington, prior to boarding the Marine One Helicopter for Andrews Air Force Base, Md., then onto North Dakota and California. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (The Associated Press)

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is urging fathers to get more involved in their kids' lives and to serve as mentors for children who don't have fathers around.

Obama is reflecting on Father's Day in his weekly radio and Internet address. He says he knows how important dads are because his own father was absent.

Obama says he tries to be the father and husband his family didn't have. He says being able to have a child doesn't make you a man, but having the courage to raise one does.

Obama recorded the address at the White House before departing Friday for North Dakota and California.

In the Republican address, Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma says Obama must nominate a capable and experienced secretary to clean up the Veterans Affairs Department.